Debbie Williams and her team of guest bartenders blew out all expectations with our fund-raising event at the Mint Nightclub in Los Angeles.

The dedicated group raised $28,957 in tips to be used to support ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research initiatives.

Special congratulations go out to our top five individual fund-raisers for the night:

Greg Hester
Nicole Privett
Ken Koprowski
Lee Pasteris
Debbie Williams

Thanks to everyone who attended this fun event with lots of laughter, cocktails, and love. Our founder Barry Winovich was in attendance, and he loved greeting everyone. From old co-workers to new friends on the West Coast, from current friends to old high school buddies, Barry valued each and every one of you who found the time to stop by and support his mission.

Thank you as well to Bright Side’s new celebrity friends who added some Hollywood sizzle to the night: Brian Van Holt of ABC’s Cougar Town, Sarah Lancaster of NBC’s Chuck, and Trina Dolenz of VH1’s Tool Academy.

An especially warm thank you also goes out to everyone who couldn’t attend, but found it in their heart to share a “virtual tip” online with their favorite bartender.

And to our team of guest bartenders; we love you and we appreciate your efforts more than you can ever know. Our success is entirely your success, and you will always be a special part of Bright Side!

Don’t forget, our bartenders’ tip jars will remain open for a few more days! Click to send them a virtual tip online.

The ongoing struggle to find a cure for ALS is a daunting task, but we won’t give up if you don’t give up.

Together we will make a brighter tomorrow for those afflicted with this disease.

Barry Winovich and the Bright Side of the Road Foundation

The Bright Side Road Show goes to the Mint Night Club in Los Angeles in February for an event like no other!

Bright Side of the Road Foundation Guest Bartending events take on a life of their own! We’ll celebrate friends, share a drink or two, and gather tip’s that will fund research to find a cure for ALS.

Click here to visit our Guest Bartending website and support a bartender!

Here’s how our LA Guest Bartending works:

We have assembled the hippest, hottest activist bartenders in the greater LA area. And they are vying for fabulous prizes and accolades by raising the most tips.

And they need you…

Just click here to visit our Guest Bartending event website and select your favorite server at our LA event. Simply make an online, tax-deductible donation and help your favorite bartender to become the top fundraiser!

In the LA area? Consider joining us at the Mint on February 20th from 5pm - 9pm. Share a drink served by our guest bartenders and hang out with  Bright Side founder Barry Winovich.

And of course, there will be real tip jars on the bar to put the evening over the top!

Thanks to your continued support, Bright Side of the Road Foundation is reporting unprecedented growth and success this year.

Now with thousands of supporters and numerous events throughout the year, we are able to make a greater impact on critically important ALS research at the Cleveland Clinic and nationally.

Click to download our complete 2008-2009 Annual Review (pdf format)

In 2010, we will be in a position to surpass $1,000,000 in grants and gifts that have funded very relevant research at places like The Eleanor & Lou Gehrig Center at Columbia University and Project A.L.S., another New York City-based group primarily dedicated to the use of stem cells in uncovering the mysteries of neuro-degeneration.

At the same time, we continue to fund the Barry Winovich Endowed Chair for ALS Research at the Cleveland Clinic.  As you’ll see in this report, we are half-way to the goal of raising $1.5M for this permanent source of funding for ALS research.

On behalf of the Bright Side family that continues to grow and branch-out, thank you for your support.  The money we receive is very carefully managed and leveraged to increase our impact on the medical research community here in Cleveland and around the country.

Jack Subel
Executive Director
Bright Side of the Road Foundation

Researchers from Indiana University and Johns Hopkins found that the drug safely slowed the deterioration of some daily activities of ALS patients including speaking, walking and dressing.

“The research demonstrates that talampanel appears able to slow the progression of disabling ALS symptoms,” said Dr Jeffrey Rothstein, senior scientist on the study.

“The effect isn’t overwhelming at the dosage of medicine used in this early, very small trial,” he adds. “Still, having promising human data is reason enough to keep it in the drug pipeline where we can really find out where it stands for patients.”

The Phase II testing of talampanel was only designed to discover its competency and safety on a small scale. Larger trials will need to be conducted before research moves forward.

An international trial is currently under way and should be completed by the end of 2010.

Read the full details at Science Daily

To view the individuals photos, click here.

The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com also posted photos and event coverage here.

Thank you for being part of our rock & roll fairy tale that was the First Waltz  at the House of Blues.

It was another incredible night of live music, celebration and fellowship. Watch for our photos of the night to be posted on the website very soon!!!

We value your continued financial support of our mission, but it is your love and shared commitment to our dream that allows us to bravely walk on the bright side of the road.

Forever Grateful,
Barry Winovich and the Bright Side of the Road Foundation

Your presence is requested at the party of the year! Don’t wait as the tickets to the 09 First Waltz are selling fast!!!

Click Here to PURCHASE your First Waltz Tickets Today!!!

Please join the Bright Side of the Road Foundation for another magical evening of music, friends, auction items at the House of Blues Cleveland! Our grass roots organization is targeting to have raised over 1 Million Dollars for ALS research by 2010, and we want you to help us celebrate this accomplishment.

WHEN:
Friday, November 20th
7pm-1am

WHERE:
House of Blues Cleveland

Evening festivities to include:

Concert & Dancing
Once again, we’re booked both stages at the House of Blues with six bands playing Rock, R&B, and your Dance favorites!

Auction Event
We’ll have a giant array of auction and raffle items in all price rances

Plus be part of a special participatory team art event with Quinn Stilletto!

Ticket price $125 each.

Each ticket includes 2 drink tickets, heavy appetizers, and complete access to the party of the year!

Click Here to PURCHASE your First Waltz Tickets Today!!!

Dress for the First Waltz:
Smart, FunkyCool Casual (No BlackTie Allowed)

Thank you to all of the ladies who washed their hands clean of responsibility and joined Bright Side of the Road Foundation for another Girls Night Out on Thursday, October 1st.

As usual, it was a great way to catch up with out girl friends at a friendly, casual affair at Trifles Cafe in Chagrin Falls.

There was live music and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. We also had some special guests and hostesses (board members in drag) to help sell tickets to the First Waltz 09. It was a night of fun and smiles.

Thank you to everyone who took advantage of the opportunity to purchase pre-sale tickets to the First Waltz at a special discounted price!

As most of you know, Bright Side of the Road was founded in response to our dear friend, Barry Winovich’s diagnosis of ALS.  Since his diagnosis, we have raised over $800,000 to fund ALS research at the Cleveland Clinic. This is only due to your continuing support, and we can’t thank you enough.

Thank yo to everyone who left their cares at home…and joined us for a fun night out just for the girls!

A heart-felt thank you goes out to our Chicago Guest Bartending supporters.  The Chicago gang led by Jen Truzkowski raised $30,000 at Tommy Nevin’s on Saturday, September 12th!!  This is by-far our most successful Guest Bartending event to date and a sign that it pays well to drink and be merry once in a while!!

The evening did a great job to take the sting out of close Ohio State loss to USC.  Chagrin Falls, Ohio native - and old, dear friend - Jen Conway (Sutcliffe) and her husband Tom have set the bar at new levels for these events by raising over $10,000 themselves - truly a dynamic duo!!!

Thanks to everyone who supported our Chicago Guest Bartenders and ultimately our mission to fund important ALS research initiatives.

Knopp has completed the randomized, placebo-controlled portion of its Phase 2 studies of KNS-760704 in 102 ALS patients and expects to initiate Phase 3 studies in the U.S. and Europe in 2010. Subjects who completed the Phase 2 program were offered enrollment in an ongoing, 48-week open-label safety extension in which all participants are receiving the highest dose tested of KNS-760704.

The Fast Track Program was created to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new drugs with the potential to meet unmet needs in serious or life-threatening conditions. ALS is a universally fatal disease of progressive paralysis with limited treatment options.

“Knopp Neurosciences is very pleased to receive Fast Track designation and the recognition that KNS-760704 holds the potential to address unmet needs in ALS,” said Michael Bozik, M.D., president and CEO of Knopp. “We are pursuing every available opportunity to accelerate the development of KNS-760704, and will take full advantage of the opportunities under Fast Track to work with the FDA in designing a program to demonstrate the drug’s safety and efficacy.”

About KNS 760704

KNS 760704 is a low molecular weight benzothiazole shown to improve mitochondrial function and to confer significant cellular protection in neurons under stress. The chirally pure form of the synthetic benzothiazole (6R)-2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-6-(propylamino)benzothiazole, KNS-760704 is highly orally bioavailable, water soluble, renally excreted, and only moderately protein bound. In Phase 1 studies, the compound was shown to be safe and well tolerated in healthy human subjects. KNS 760704 has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of patients with ALS.

About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and Charcot’s sclerosis, is a rapid, universally fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting. ALS affects adults in the prime of life and creates a substantial burden for caregivers. U.S. prevalence is approximately 20,000 and the global incidence is approximately two per 100,000. Worldwide prevalence estimates of ALS range from 2 to 9 people per 100,000. Only one drug has been approved for the treatment of ALS. Life expectancy after symptom onset is usually three to five years.

About Knopp Neurosciences Inc.

Knopp Neurosciences is a drug discovery and development company focused on delivering breakthrough treatments for neurological disorders through innovation, experience, and partnership. The company’s lead product candidate is KNS 760704, an orally bioavailable small molecule in development for the treatment of ALS. Knopp’s leadership includes experienced neuroscience drug development and discovery executives formerly associated with major pharmaceutical companies. Knopp’s financing has been led by Saturn Capital Inc. of Boston as placement agent and Saturn Partners II as lead funder.